Imagine a Hudson Valley boarding school where students possess superhuman abilities.

Each can harness the elements, wielding the powers of fire, water, earth or air.

And, they must travel to New York City to stop a rival group from wiping out their race.

The story is fictional. But its 17-year-old author has made it real.

Ndidi Aguwa, a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, published her book “Fearless: The Battle Begins” in August.

She began working on the fantasy tale, which is available to purchase online and sits on the shelves at Poughkeepsie’s Barnes & Noble, four years ago. This summer, with the help of her parents and a self-publishing company, her imagination became something tangible.

"It felt surreal to hold the book in my hands because I've been into literature and writing for a long time," Aguwa said. "I never really thought that it could happen but looking at it in my hand I thought 'Wow, I really did this.'”

The first 25 copies of her book sent to her by her publisher quickly disappeared into the hands of friends and family.

On Saturday, Aguwa will be signing copies of “Fearless” at Barnes & Noble from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Ndidi Aguwa holds a copy of her book 'Fearless' at her home in Hopewell Junction on October 4, 2018. Fearless is her first book, but at 17 years old, the Our Lady of Lourdes Senior hopes to continuing to write and publish as she gets older. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

The Hopewell Junction resident's story is set in the real world — her protagonists are based in nearby Cortlandt — but it’s the magical powers wielded by her characters that Aguwa wanted to bring to life.

"I've always liked the idea of magic actually being real," Aguwa said. "A lot of the stuff I read always has magic incorporated. It's the perfect genre for me because it takes place in the real world. I know it's cheesy but it's the closest thing I can get to experiencing magic."

Creating magic

Aguwa said she has been writing since she was 7 years old. She recalls growing up with her nose tucked in the “Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne.

As she got older, authors like Rick Riordan of the “Percy Jackson” series of books and Marissa Meyer of “The Lunar Chronicles” inspired her to ultimately pursue writing her own book.

"I've always been a big reader and so I had these concepts that I've thought of and looked for books like it," Aguwa said. "But couldn't particularly find something that captured what I was thinking about, so I decided to write it on my own."

As would be the case with many parents, when Placidus Aguwa’s 13-year-old daughter first started writing the story, he assumed she would eventually move on to something else. Which is why he was surprised, one year later, when she was still toiling away. And, he said, her ideas had already been spun until the foundation for full chapters of the book.

"When she finished writing I immediately asked her to send me the manuscript," Placidus Aguwa said. "I was amazed to see how sophisticated she could write. There are so many characters and all are well developed."

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Ndidi Aguwa works on her computer at her home in Hopewell Junction on October 4, 2018. Ndidi recently published her first novel, 'Fearless'. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

He was so impressed upon reading that he and his wife decided to help her publish it. Although Ndidi was reluctant, Placidus said he told her it was ready. He reached out to a colleague who had previously self-published with Archway Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster.

The family signed a contract with the company in April, which included paying a fee, and the first copies arrived on Aug. 15.

"When I saw the book I was so excited," Ndidi’s father said. "I was shouting with joy. Luckily my parents-in-law were here when the book arrived, so we had a party immediately to celebrate."

The book is available online, through booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Archway, as e-books or physical copies. Ndidi Aguwa will receive a percentage of each book sold, and Placidus is confident they will recoup the fee they paid.

Future adventures

Placidus Aguwa is a lawyer and his wife is a doctor. Ndidi, however, said she does not have interest in either profession. Instead, she plans to pursue an economics or finance degree in college, though she hasn’t decided where that will be. As the selection process continues, she said the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and Yale are among her top choices.

Ndidi Aguwa said she wants to keep her love for writing intimate and to not lose it by pursuing an English major. However, she said she may minor in English. And, she has already begun writing a second book.

Lauren Katz, an English teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes, said she has known Ndidi since she was a freshman. She described Ndidi as a model student who puts in hard work, cares about global issues and has compassion for everyone she meets.

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Ndidi Aguwa writes in her notebook at her home in Hopewell Junction on October 4, 2018. Ndidi recently published her first novel, 'Fearless'. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

"She's remarkable and brilliant but also very humble," Katz said. "She didn't even tell me she published a book. I found out from someone else. But that is who she is, she never brags about her accomplishments."

True to form, Ndidi Aguwa has downplayed the excitement of publishing a book at the age of 17. A member of the school’s journalism and creative writing club, she said a lot of people her age have the ability to publish, but they need to push past the initial intimidation.

"People my age who are interested in writing should look for contests and publish their work, so that the world can hear their voice," Ndidi said. "It's a great thing when voices from different backgrounds offer diversity. This can't happen if people my age or any age are intimidated. Just got for it."